Collocations

There are some words that usually go together in English. Some adjectives and nouns seem right together, some verbs and nouns go together and some adverbs typically combine with certain verbs and adjectives.
Examples:

• Computer application, home address, computer program (noun with noun)
• Firm handshake, a tight hug, heavy rain, an incurable disease (adjective with noun)
• Undergo training, receive education, take a bath, form a habit (verb with noun)
• Bitterly disappointed, complained bitterly (adverb with verb)
• Completely satisfied (adverb with adjective)
• Burst into (verb with preposition)

These combinations which sound natural are called collocations. Collocations involve different classes of words: verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs. The word combination should be acceptable in English. They shouldn't sound odd. Knowing what words usually go together is an important feature of language. This is not really easy because there are no rules that one can follow to arrive at the right combination. One can slowly learn to use the right collocations by listening and reading. A standard dictionary will be of great help to enhance one's knowledge in this area. Candidates appearing for competitive examinations are advised to enhance their knowledge in this area as it is an essential grammatical component. Paying attention to this topic guides a candidate to crack other related sections like Cloze test, Substitution, Spotting the Errors, Fill in the Blanks and Replacing the Phrase.

Examples of odd combinations are: simply identifiable, pierce holes, heavy wind, large mistake, fast shower, fast meal, etc.
Given below is the list of a few collocations to give you more of an idea about them:

Have	do	make
have a good time	do business	make a difference
have a holiday	do nothing	make a noise
have a problem	do someone a favour	make an effort
have a rest	do your best	make money
have lunch	do your homework	make progress
have sympathy		make room

take	break	catch
take a break	break a habit	catch a ball
take a chance	break a promise	catch a bus
take a look	break a record	catch a cold
take a seat	break someone's heart	catch a thief
take a taxi	break the ice	catch fire
take an exam	break the law	catch sight of
take notes	break the news to someone	catch someone's attention
take someone's place	break the rules	catch someone's eye catch the flu

come	go	get
come close	go abroad
come direct	go astray	get a job
come early	go bankrupt	get a shock
come into view	go blind	get angry
come late	go crazy	get lost
come on time	go deaf	get nowhere
come prepared	go mad	get permission
come right back	go missing	get ready
come second	go online	get started
come to a compromise	go out of business	get the impression
come to a decision	go overseas	get the message
come to an agreement	go quiet	get the sack
come to an end	go sailing	get upset
come to a standstill	go to war	get wet
come to terms with		get worried
come to a total of
come under attack

pay	save	keep
pay a fine	save electricity
pay attention	save energy	keep a promise
pay interest	save money	keep a secret
pay someone a compliment	save someone\\\'s life	keep calm
pay someone a visit	save space	keep in touch
pay the bill	save time	keep quiet
pay the price	save yourself the trouble	keep the change
pay your respects

Miscellaneous:

Time	Business English	Classifiers
bang on time	annual turnover	a ball of string
dead on time	bear in mind	a bar of chocolate
early 12th century	break off negotiations	a bottle of water
free time	cease trading	a bunch of carrots
from dawn till dusk	chair a meeting	a cube of sugar
great deal of time	close a deal	a pack of cards
late 20th century	close a meeting	a pad of paper
make time for	come to the point
next few days	dismiss an offer
past few weeks	draw a conclusion
right on time	draw your attention to
run out of time	launch a new product
save time	lay off staff
spare time	go bankrupt
spend some time	go into partnership
take your time	make a loss
tell someone the time	make a profit
time goes by	market forces
time passes	sales figures
waste time	take on staff

Practice test
1. We are not satisfied and will pursue the _____ further.
a) event b) affair c) matter d) substance

2. The politician's speech got a mixed_____.
a) reaction b) result c) reply d) answer

3. I thought that information was _____ knowledge.
a) common b) familiar c) known d) famous

4. He was completely absorbed _____ his book.
a) to b) in c) at d) into

5. I'm bored _____ tidying up.
a) in b) for c) with d) at

6. 'Is he coming?' 'I believe _____ .
a) so b) such c) that d) this

7. The hotel has _____ to recommend it - it's terrible!
a) few b) less c) little d) small

8. He has made a _____ deal of money.
a) Huge b) large c) great d) vast

9. She's made herself ill with anxiety _____ her exams.
a) for b) about c) with d) on

10. Do you mind if I _____ a question at this stage?
a) put b) raise c) set d) put

11. Can you explain _____ you got there?
a) that b) why c) how d) so

12. I think it shows _____ judgement to invest in training.
a) secure b) right c) sound d) true

13. Nowadays we live with very high noise _____.
a) levels b) sounds c) grades d) marks

14. I _____ need a new car.
a) completely b) badly c) totally d) wholly

15. He should _____ the blame for the delay.
a) take b) do c) have d) stand

16. The task _____ the students occupied for hours.
a) held b) kept c) stayed d) wait

17. Are you lost? Would you like me to _____ you the way?
a) make b) offer c) show d) suggest

18. People tell so many different stories; it's hard to get a true _____ .
a) description b) view  c) picture d) vision

19. The boss was very dismissive and treated his suggestion _____ contempt.
a) with b) as c) to d) in

20. If I give you the camera, make sure you _____ it to good use.
a) put b) do c) enter d) return

21. Their business plan makes sense - I think they're a _____ risk.
a) good b) safe c) well d) best

22. The war had a damaging _____ on the economy.
a) effect b) result c) outcome d) change

23. The Canary Islands get sunshine all year _____.
a) through b) round c) along d) around

24. You must do your best to _____ out of trouble.
a) keep b) go c) run d) face

25. My response varies _____ on the situation.
a) depending b) relying c) resting d) none of these

26. I was _____ amazed when he got the job!
a) deeply b) absolutely c) very d) totally

27. We're trying to _____ money for the local hospital.
a) support b) increase c) raise d) fund

28. We all wish you _____ in your new career.
a) well b) good c) fine d) bright

29. I don't know what the future _____ for us.
a) has b) holds c) gets d) saves

30. Do you mind if I _____ a suggestion?
a) put b) make c) do d) act

Answers:
1) c, 2) a, 3) a, 4) b, 5) c , 6) a, 7) c, 8) c, 9) b, 10) b, 11) c, 12) c, 13) a, 14) b, 15) a, 16) b, 17) c, 18) c, 19) a, 20) a, 21) a, 22) a, 23) b, 24) a, 25) a , 26) b, 27) c, 28) a, 29) b, 30) b

Published date : 30 Jan 2014 05:04PM